Understanding Backsliding: Causes and Consequences

2. The Northside Church of Christ Welcomes you!

3. 2 Peter 2:20-22

4. Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."27Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.28For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.29But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

6. What is Really happening?

7. s BACK LIDING • The Problem • Who is a backslider? • Why do people backslide? • The Way Home for a backslider

8. BACK LIDING s ossibility robability P revalence

9. Who is a Backslider ? “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A DOG RETURNS TO HIS OWN VOMIT," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” 2 Pet. 2:20-22

10. Who is a Backslider ? • 2 Pet. 2:20-22 • Escaped world. Running from it! • Again entangled. Tripped by Satan! • Worse than the beginning, why? • Better not to have known, Why? • Proverb ~ Dog / Pig… Like animals? • Why the latter is worse than the beginning? • Because now people in the world are blaspheming the Good Name of Jesus!

11. Backslider Has returned to Sin • When we become a Christian... • Born again - Jn. 3:3-5 • Put on Christ – Gal. 3:26-27 • Give up evil - Rom. 12:1-2 • Quit sin of any form – 1 Cor.6:10 • Stops all worldliness –1Thes.5:22 • Starts doing spiritual things

12. Backslider Has returned to Sin • Starts back into Sin • Returns to cursing, drinking, lying, • Stops attending services • Stops reading the Bible, praying • You cannot be a worldly Christian Trying to live as a Christian And living as a sinner at the same time

13. “Do notbe deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Gal. 6:7-8

14. “For the flesh lustsagainst the Spirit, and the Spirit againstthe flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” Gal. 5:17

15. Backslider Has left his first love • "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Rev. 2:4 • “Left” = abandoned, to leave • “first love” = excitement when they first obeyed

16. Backslider Has left his first love • He is lukewarm and indifferent • No excitement in his heart • Attendance is not important • Worldly things are ok and has become desensitized

17. Backslider Has left his first love May come to worship, but does not worship be causethey are not engaged.

18. Backslider Occupied with things • A backslider loves worldly things • Job • Sports • Entertainment • Hobbies

19. "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Lk. 12:15

20. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt. 6:24

21. Who is a Backslider? Returned to Sin Left his first love Occupied with things

22. Why do People Backslide?

23. Causes Satan's Attack Attacks in our weakest spot “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” Heb. 12:1 Temper Strong Drink Lying backbiting Dishonesty cursing ??? Hate

24. Causes Impure Heart “Blessed are the pure in heart” Matt. 5:8 “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23 Gal.5:15“bite and devour one another” An Impure heart leads to sin Sin leads us to backsliding

25. Causes False Teachers Gal. 1:6-7“removed” “pervert the gospel” Gal. 3:1“not obey the truth” Gal. 5:7“who did hinder you” Confuse Backslide Immature Unstable

26. Causes Evil Companions “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Cor.15:33 Sin is not as bad Not as cautious Begin to do same Friends with Evil people

27. Causes Evil Companions “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” 1 Kings 11:1-4 Solomon is an example

28. Causes Pleasures of Sin “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” Heb. 11:25 Go back to sin

29. Causes Becoming Discouraged “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9 No one Cares church troubles Others fall

30. s BACK LIDING Heart problem “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above” Prov. 14:14

31. Salvation Hear the gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believe In Jesus (Jn. 8:24) REPENT of your sins (Lk. 13:3) Confess your faith (Matt. 10:32-33) Baptized Into Christ (Acts 2:38) Faithful until death (Rev. 2:10) REMISSION OF SINS